Uttar Pradesh:- Hastinapur - Bh. Shantinath
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HASTINAPUR TEMPLE
LOCATION: 97 KMS FROM DELHI AND 37 KMS FROM MEERUT Hastinapur is considered to be the most ancient capital city of India. This city has been the venue of all the politics related to the mahabharat. In Hastinapur wars between the Kauravas and the Pandavas, virtue and vice, truth and falsehood had been fought. The soil of Hastinapur gave birth to a great soul like Bhishm Pitamah who conveyed the messages of politics and theology that lasted through the ages. The policies of Vidur were also framed on the soil of Hastinapur. Really, Hastinapur has been that part of India's History on whose surface the wheel of time has witnessed several ups and downs with self-impartiality. The history of Hastinapur has been more ancient than even the aforesaid referred time. Hastinapur has had historical relation with Jainism's first Tirthankar Lord Aadinath. The conception, birth, ordaining and enlightenment of Lords Shantinath, Kunthunath and Arahnath had occurred at this very place. Needless to say, the place which has been connected with four Tirthankars, remains pulsating with holiness. Beginning with Chakravarti Bharat, there have been altogether 12 Chakravartts out of which 6 Chakravartis were born here. This is the birth-place of Parashuram too. According to scriptural reference, the first Tirthankar Shree Rishabhdev had performed the concluding rites of his one-year long penance giving the honour to king Shreyans Kumar here. Tirthankar Rishabh could not procure pure foodstuff for one year after embracing monkhood. For being ignorant of the ritual of 'Supatradaan' (offering pure food to the deserving) the devotees wanted to offer him jewels, elephants, horses etc. But what was the need of all these to a monk? Rishabhdev had to live without food for almost 400 days. At last, king Shreyans made the Lord ceremoniously conclude his long fast by offering him sugarcane juice. This 'tap' (penance) is called 'Varshitap' (penance for one full year or more). Since the Lord had ceremoniously concluded his 'Varshitap' in Hastinapur other people too began to perform the 'Parna' (concluding rities) of their 'Varshitap' here. This day is considered to be a day of 'akshay' (undiminishing) virtue; therefore, it is called Akshay Tritiya. Acharya Shree Jinprabh Suri had come to Hastinapur in Samvat 1335 with a touring 'Sangh' (religious entourage). Available references reveal that at that time the temples of Lords Shantinath, Arahnath and Mallinath were already constructed here. In Samvat 1627 Acharya Jinchandra Suri had also arrived here. At that time four temples were already constructed here. Right now there are huge temples of both the Shwetambar and the Digambar sects. The last renovation of the Shwetambar temple was completed in Samvat 2021 and the Digambar temple was consecrated in Samvat 1853. At the rear of the Shwetambar temple 'Parna' temple has been built which contains the splendid idols of Shreyans and Lord Rishabhdev. The former is shown making the latter perform 'parna'. Outside this very temple in a huge courtyard the 'Parna' of 'Varshi-tap' is performed. For this purpose the management committee has built a hall in a sprawling campus. This 'Parna Day' is really a big fair for Hastinapur. Besides the charitable guest-house and the dining hall there is one more temple of Lord Aadinath Where the Lord had performed 'Parna'. In memory of that episode, the foot prints of the Lord have been ceremoniously installed there. This region is enriched with prosperous sugarcane farming. 'Jamboodweep' is a special feature of Hastinapur pilgrimage. Along with its dazzing white artistic creation the Karnal Mandir (Lotus Temple) is also unique in itself.
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